Accordions



April 15, 1958 T. A. PATTl 2,830,482

ACCORDIONS Filed Sept. l5, 1954 ATTORNEY United States Patent() ACCORDIONS Tllomas'Allan Patti, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor of fty percent to William Brauer, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application September 15, 1954, Serial No. 456,191

7 Ciaims. (Cl. 84--376) This invention relates to accordions, and more particularly to an improved stop actuator for use in connection with a perpendicular tone chamber in accordions.

In accordions the tone developed depends on the number of reeds controlled by each key and the resonance produced by the reeds. It has been found that the provision of a well or tone chamber opening through the end plate and extending perpendicular thereto and the provision of reed bars opening into the tone chamber through the side thereof produce an improved tone due to the increased resonance created.

While the provision of the tone chamber opening through the end plate produces a ner tone in the accordion, at the same time it also creates a problem of proper seating of the valves. ln such an instrument it is necessary that each key controls two valves, the pads of which seat on planes at right angles to each other. It is essential that both pads seat firmly over the reed openings since any leakage produces discords which more than offset the advantages of the tone chamber or well. Heretofore, when accordions with the perpendicular tone chamber were made a single lever was permanently connected to each pair of valves and adjustment of the levers was made by bending the levers. This construction has proven very unsatisfactory as the valves get out of ad justment quickly and sour tone results in the accordion.

The present invention contemplates a valve actuator which wiil actuate two valves located substantially perpendicular to each other and includes a simple and positive means to adjust the setting.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an accordion in which each key actuates a plurality of reeds in which the valves may be adjusted individually.

Another object is to provide a mechanism to actuate a plurality of valves on an accordion simultaneously which will preclude leaking of air through the valves.

Another object is to provide an accordion including a tone chamber or well in which the valves may be set accurately against either lost motion or leakage.

A still further object is to provide an accordion which will give superior tone quality.

A still further object is to provide an accordion in which leakage of air through the valves is reduced to a minimum.

Still further objects will become apparent upon considering the following specification, which, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrates a preferred form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a transverse cross-section through the keyboard. end of an accordion made in accordance with the present invention and showing the valve actuating mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-section throughA the center of the actuating levers showing the adjusting means; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective View of a portion of' the actuating lever for one valve.

Referring to the drawings, the accordion has an open Patented Apr. 15, 1958 ini box 10 opening into a bellows (not shown). The box El@ may comprise a front 12, a back 13, a top and bottom 14 and a perforated end 15. A keyboard 17 is carried by the box 10 and contains three or more octaves of keys it) to play the naturals and a suitable set of keys 2t) to play Sharps and ats. The keys on the keyboard are arranged in a manner similar to an ordinary piano keyboard. Each of the keys i8 and 2i) has a spring 21 beneath the key to maintain the key in its outermost position and to maintain the valves, to be described below, closed.

The perforate end 15 is provided with an elongated aperture 23, on the inside of which is mounted a rectangular tone chamber 2.5.

In the accordion shown, four reed blocks 30, 31, 32 and 33 are used. Each reed block has two chambers 3-5 and 36. Each of the chambers 35 and 36 has a pair of reeds .3d-38 one of which vibrates when the bellows is expanding while the other vibrates as the bellows is contracting to produce the tone.

The openings into the reed blocks are controlled by valves iti-4i and 42--43, the valves each controlling the passage of air through the two tone chambers in each reed block.

Since the reeds in the reed blocks 30 and 31 are tuned to the natural notes and the reeds in the blocks 32 and 33 are tuned to the Sharps or ats, it follows that the keys 18 control the valves 4i) and 41, and the black keysy 20 lcontrol the valves 42 and 43.

Each of the keys 18 has a lever 46 mounted therein which lever extends outwardly from the key over the end of the toile chamber 25 and to a point substantially opposite the vaive 4d. A track 4S is mounted on the end of the lever 46 and serves as a guide to actuate a lever 5d. The lever Sii is carried on a hinged bar 52 which carries the valve pad 4d. The bar 52 is hinged at 52' to the accordion box l@ at the opposite end thereof from the keys, with the bar 52 extending toward the keys and carrying the valve 4d. A spring 53 constantly urges the valve into closed position.

The lever 50, which is mounted on the bar 52 intermediate the ends of the bar, extends outwardly from the bar 52 in the form of a goose-neck and terminates in a threaded end 54, Fig. 2. The threaded end 54 receives a threaded sleeve 55 which rotatably carries a ball bearing 56. A lock nut 57 retains the sleeve on the threaded end 54.

The ball bearing 56 is adjusted so that withk the key 18 in its normal outward position the bearing 56 contacts the track 48 and is guided therein during movement of the lever 46.

The lever 46 carries a stop actuating bar 58, Fig. 3, which bar extends inwardly into the tone chamber 25. The stop 41 is mounted on the free inner end of the bar 58 to be actuated thereby. The connection between the bar 58 and the lever 46 is made by riveting the tabs 60-60 through holes in the lever 46, as is shown in Fig. 3.

Depressing the key 18 causes the lever 46 to move outwardly carrying with it the bar 58 to open the valve 41 and permit air to be forced by the bellows (not shown) through both the chambers 35 and 36 of the reed block 31, to vibrate the reeds 38-38 and produce two harmonious tones. At the same time the outer end of the lever 46 raises the outer end of the lever 50 to open the valve 40, permitting air to be forced through the chambers 35 and 36 of the reed block 30 to vibrate the reeds 38 therein and produce two additional harmonious tones.

In a similar manner each black key or sharp 20 in the keyboard 17 controls a pair of valves 42-43 which in turn, control the ow of air through the reed blocks 32--33 to produce four harmonious tones. No further 3 description will be given since this structure is identical'4 to that described for the keys 1S.

By the use of plate valves (not shown) air may be admitted or blocked from any set of chambers 35-36 to give any number of tones from one to four to produce anyv desired effect.

It will be realized that the hereinbefore described forni of the invention is given merely as a preferred embodiment thereof and that various changes in size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the sub-- joined claims.

That which is claimed as new and is desired to be.- secured by United States Letters Patent is:

l. An accordion of the character described comprising., an end plate, a plurality of keys pivotally mounted relative to said end plate, a tone chamber projecting inwardly from and carried by said plate and opening outwardly therefrom, a reed block mounted beneath said plate andy opening therethrough, a second reed block mounted on` the side of the tone chamber and opening inwardly' therethrough, a first lever carried by each of said keys. and adapted to be moved by depressing the key, a valve member carried by said first lever and adapted, upon depressing its key, to permit air to pass through a pair of reeds in one reed block and through the tone chamber, a second lever pivotally mounted from said end plate, a valve member carried by said second lever, and adapted upon actuation of said second lever to permit air to pass through a pair of reeds of another reed block to produce a tone, and means on the outer end of the second lever contacting the outer end of the first lever to actuate both said valves from said first lever.

2. An accordion of the character described comprising,` an end plate, a plurality of keys pivotally mounted rela tive to said end plate, a tone chamber projecting inwardly from and carried by said plate -and opening outwardly therefrom, a reed block mounted beneath said plate and opening therethrough, a second reed block mounted on the side of the tone chamber and opening inwardiy therethrough, a first lever carried by each of said keys and adapted to be moved by depressing the key, a valve member carried by said first lever and adapted, upon depressing its key, to permit air to pass through a pair of reeds in one reed blockV and through the tone chamber, a second lever pivotally mounted from said end plate, a valve member carried by said second lever, and adapted upon actuation of said second lever to permit air to pass through a pair of reeds of another reed block to produce a tone. means on the outer end of the second lever contacting the outer end of the first lever to actuate both said valves from said first lever, and an adjustable screw connection between said levers to cause both valves to operate simultaneously.

3. An accordion of the character described comprising, an end plate, a plurality of keys pivotally mounted' relative to said end plate, a tone chamber proiecting inwardly from and carried by said plate and opening outwardly therefrom, a reed block mounted beneath said plate and opening therethrough, a second reed block mounted on the side' of the tone chamber and opening inwardly therethrough, a first lever carriedby each of said` keys and adapted to be moved by depressing the key, a. valve member carried by said first lever and adapted. upon depressing its key, to permit air to pass through a pair of reeds in one reed block and through'the tone chamber, a second lever pivotally mounted from said end plate, a valve member carried by said second lever, and adapted upon actuationof said second lever to permit air to pass through a pair of ree-ds ofl another reed block to produce a tone, resilient means to retain the valves normally closed, and means on the outer end of the second lever contacting the outer end of the first lever to actuate both said valves from said'rst lever.

4. An accordion of the character described compristhrough, a first lever carried by each of said ing, an end plate, a plurality of keys pivotally mounted relative to said end plate, a tone chamber projecting inwardly from and carried by said plate and opening outwardly therefrom, a reed block mounted beneath said plate and opening therethrough, a second reed block mounted on the side of the tone chamber and opening inwardly therethrough, a first lever carried by cach of said keys and adapted to be moved by depressing the key, a valve member carried by said first lever and adapted, upon depressing its key, to permit air to pass through a pair of reeds in one reed block and through the tone chamber, a second lever pivotally mounted from said end plate, a valve member carried by said second lever, and adapted upon actuation of said second lever to permit air to pass through a pair of reeds of another reed block to produce a tone, resilient means to retain the valves normally closed, means on the outer end of the second lever contacting the outer end of tlie first lever to actuate both said valves from said first lever, and an adjustable screw connection between said levers to cause both valves to operate simultaneously.

5. An accordion of the character described comprising, an end plate, a plurality of keys pivotally mounted relative to said end plate, a tone chamber projecting inwardly from and carried by said plate and opening cutwardly therefrom, a reed block mounted beneath said plate and opening. therethrough, a second reed block mounted on the side of the tone chamber and opening inwardly therethrough, a first lever carried by cach of said keys and adapted to be moved by depressing the key, a valve member carried by said first lever and adapted, upon depressing its key, to permit air to pass through a pair of reeds in one reed block and through the tone chamber, a second lever pivotaliy mounted from said end plate, a vaiuc member carried by said second le and adapted upon actuation of said second iever to permit air to pass through a pair of reeds of another reed block to produce a tone, a track on the end of the first lever, and means on the outer end of the second lever engageable in said track to actuate the second lever from the first lever to actuatc the valves.

6. An accordion of the character described comprising, an end plate, a plurality of keys pivotally mounted relative to said end piate, a tone chamber protecting inwardly from and carried by said plate and opening outwardiy therefrom, a reed block mounted beneath said plate and opening therethrough, a second reed block mout the side of the tone chamber and `opening inwardiy therethrough, a first lever carried by each of said keys and adapted to be moved by depressing the key, a valve member carried by said first lever and adapted, upon dcpressing its key, to permit air to pass through a pair of reeds in one reed block and through the tone chamber, a second lever pivotally mounted from said end plate. a valve member carried by said second lever, and adapted upon actuation of said second lever to permit air to pass through a pair of reeds of another reed block to produce a tone, resilient means to retain the valves normally cioscd, a track on the end of the first iever, and means on the outer end of the second lever engacecbic in '-i ik. track to actuate the second lever from the first lever to actuate. the valves.

7. An accordion of the character described compi-"dwz an end plate, a plurality of keys pivotally mouz' tive to said end plate, a tone chamber projec inwardly frorn and carried by said plate and opening outwardly therefrom, a reed block mounted beneathsai-.i plate and opening therethrough, a second reed block inout side of the tone chamber and opening in keys and adapted to be moved by depressing the key, avvalve niember carried by said first lever adapted, upon dcpressing its key, to permit air to pass through a pair of reeds inone reed block and .througi the tone chamber,

a second lever pivotally mounted from said end plate, a References Cited in the file of this patent value mmltner cafrriedd by sag 1secon lever, `fnd atdapted UNITED STATES PATENTS upon ae ua1on o sar secon ever o perrm arr o pass through a pair of reeds of another reed block to pro- 513,328 Saulgau pr' duce a tene, a track on the end of the rst lever, means 5 1139i Irrioaet-a-l Ngg" 1 l 1930 0n the Outer end of the second lever engageable m sald 2,070,853 Berlin n Fcb. 16, 1937 track to actuate the second lever from the first lever to actuate the valves, and an adjustable screw contact be- FOREIGN PATENTS 

